The online Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) concentration in the Master of Science in Education - Special Education helps professionals develop a deeper understanding of diverse behavioral health needs. Students gain the skills to develop, implement, and evaluate quality techniques that bring about positive behavioral change in people with special needs. Students in this innovative and 100% online program will examine the principles of learning and behavior, and understand how to purposefully apply these principles in environments such as schools, hospitals, mental health settings, as well as in business.

Application of Behavior Analysis

Behavior Analysis is an important strategy used to treat a variety of behavioral challenges related to addiction, anxiety, mental health, diet, pre-school behavior, developmental disabilities, juvenile delinquency, and learning disorders. Ever increasing numbers of students on the Autism Spectrum as well as those with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders warrant the development of skills in ABA as well as certified practitioners. Add to your current professional knowledge with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis and learn to use data-driven methodologies to more effectively analyze and guide positive change in human behavior.

Applied Behavior Analysis Curriculum

The Applied Behavior Analysis concentration courses focus on developing the skills to transfer basic principles of behavior analysis into effective and comprehensive functional behavioral assessments, behavioral interventions, and program evaluation. Students in the 36 credit hour master’s program complete 12 credit hours of core courses and 6 credit hours of electives, with the 18 credit hour ABA concentration. This ABA concentration (also available as a stand-alone post-graduate certification option), consists of these courses drawn from the competencies in the BCBA Task List (4th ed):

ABA 622 Basic Principles of Behavior Analysis

ABA 623 Applied Behavior Analysis

ABA 624 Behavior Analysis and Consultation

ABA 625 Behavioral Development

ABA 626 Clinical Behavior Analysis

ABA 657 Ethics in Behavior Analysis

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) has approved our course sequence as meeting the requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) Exam.

Advance Your Career With Applied Behavior Analysis

Grow personally and professionally as you explore the unique opportunities available for educating and serving the needs of individuals facing cognitive, emotional, or behavioral challenges. Demand is high for people with a behavior analyst master’s degree for employment in regular and special educational settings, health care, criminal justice, substance-abuse treatment, fitness centers, research facilities, and organizational settings.

Professionals who can benefit from this evidence-based program include:

teachers

behavioral specialists

mobile therapists

educational consultants

speech-language pathologists

school counselors

special education teachers

paraprofessional support staff

social workers

psychologists

medical professionals

human resource specialists

Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) has approved this six-course sequence as meeting the coursework requirement for taking the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) examination. Applicants will have to meet additional field experience requirements independent of the online program to qualify. See these requirements here https://www.bacb.com

Who Should Apply?

This program is specifically designed for individuals with a background in education or social sciences who are interested in becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts. However, anyone with an interest in learning about interventions to produce lasting change in behavior will also find this program useful.

Earn Two or More Certifications

You can choose to earn more than one certification as part of your work in the online master’s program. Electives may be combined to complete one or more of the following concentrations / endorsements:

Financial Aid

You may be eligible to receive Federal Financial Assistance in the form of student loans or grants. Saint Joseph's University Online uses the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine award amounts.

For more information about this concentration or from Saint Joseph’s University and what it can do for your career, call us today at (866) 758-7670 or request information below.